2006-07-02 20:28:49 · 6 answers · asked by Kim C 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Dam! I missed it?
I Did find an interesting post on it though at space.com...i'll copy and paste some of the stuff i found, and include the link =)
An asteroid possibly as large as a half-mile or more in diameter is rapidly approaching the Earth. There is no need for concern, for no collision is in the offing, but the space rock will make an exceptionally close approach to our planet early on Monday, July 3, passing just beyond the Moon’s average distance from Earth.
skywatchers with good telescopes and some experience just might be able to get a glimpse of this cosmic rock as it streaks rapidly past our planet in the wee hours Monday. The closest approach occurs late Sunday for U.S. West Coast skywatchers.
Asteroid 2004 XP14 is a member of a class of asteroids known as Apollo, which have Earth-crossing orbits. The name comes from 1862 Apollo, the first asteroid of this group to be discovered. There are now 1,989 known Apollos.
The size of 2004 XP 14 is not precisely known. But based on its brightness, the diameter is believed to be somewhere in the range of 1,345 to 3,018-feet (410 to 920 meters). That's between a quarter mile and just over a half-mile wide.
Due to the proximity of its orbit to Earth and its estimated size, this object has been classified as a “Potentially Hazardous Asteroid” (PHA) by the Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. There are currently 783 PHAs.
The latest calculations show that 2004 XP14 will pass closest to Earth at 04:25 UT on July 3 (12:25 a.m. EDT or 9:25 p.m. PDT on July 2). The asteroid’s distance from Earth at that moment will be 268,624 miles (432,308 km), or just 1.1 times the Moon’s average distance from Earth.
Spotting 2004 XP14 will be a challenge, best accomplished by seasoned observers with moderate-sized telescopes.
As 2004 XP14 makes its closest approach to Earth, astronomers will attempt to gauge its size and shape by analysis of very high frequency radio waves reflected from its surface.
Such radar measurements of the exact distance and velocity of the asteroid will allow for precise information on its orbit. From this scientists can also discern details of the asteroid’s mass, as well as a measurement of its density, which is a very important indicator of its overall composition and internal structure.
Astronomers plan to utilize NASA's 70-meter (230-foot) diameter Goldstone radar, the largest and most sensitive antenna in its Deep Space Network. Located in California’s Mojave Desert, the Goldstone antenna has been used to bounce radio signals off other Near-Earth asteroids many times before, and it is now being readied to “ping” 2004 XP14 on July 3, 4 and 5.
Augmenting the Goldstone observations will be radar observations scheduled at Evpatoria in the Ukraine, commencing several hours prior to the July 3 observations at Goldstone.
2006-07-02 21:01:27 · answer #1 · answered by XxDJToxic420xX 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no way I missed something? I have always loved meteor showers but haven't seen the asteroids.
2006-07-03 03:31:42 · answer #2 · answered by cubsfreak2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The asteroid was not visible to the naked eye.
2006-07-03 03:33:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Darn, missed it. I'm a meteorite hunter so these things interest me.
2006-07-03 03:34:24 · answer #4 · answered by madbaldscotsman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really missed something.
2006-07-03 03:41:51 · answer #5 · answered by Celestine N 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WE'RE ALL DOOMED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-07-03 05:37:58 · answer #6 · answered by THE ONE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋